Business Dialogues - Office Gossip

AUDIO BUSINESSDIALOGUES

OFFICE GOSSIP

In this dialogue, Judy, who works in accounting, has heard some very interesting office gossip. She’s telling some colleagues all about it. Listen to the dialogue and see if you can answer these two questions:

1. What does Judy know about Michael? 2. What does Michael want at the end of the conversation?

Judy: Guess what? I just heard a really juicy bit of gossip. I got it straight from Dan in marketing, who got it from Pete in finance, who got it from Mary in the overseas branch: Simon is going to get the axe. Now don’t tell anyone - I was sworn to secrecy. Michael: I won’t listen to this any longer. Gossip is destructive and creates an atmosphere of suspicion. Judy: No it doesn’t it - it’s a lot of fun. And besides, if it wasn’t for gossip, we wouldn’t know any of the important things, like who’s going out with who, or how much everyone makes. Michael: You know how much I make? Judy: Yes, of course I do. Michael: My God! Is nothing sacred any more? Judy: Of course not. And we know all about your “little” pay rise, Mr Big Bucks! Michael: Oh, erm, well I deserved that. Look, that’s beside the point, they aren’t going to let Simon go. They’ve just given him a pay rise, and he’s the golden boy after winning that Steinbeck contract. Judy: Well, we all know they are looking to get rid of some of the higher-paid executives. And the rumour is that Simon has been called in to see the boss this afternoon at 6 pm. Michael: Oh, don’t be ridiculous. That doesn’t mean anything… but just in case, if he does go, I want his office. Judy: Yeah, sure thing, as long as I get his parking space. Michael: It’s a deal.

Exercise

Now listen to some extracts from the conversation again. You will notice there are some missing words and a beeping sound. See if you can write the missing word. (The answers are on the page 50.) 1. I got it straight ___________ Dan in marketing. 2. I was sworn _______ secrecy. 3. I won’t listen ______ this any longer. 4. And we know all ________ your “little” pay rise. 5. He’s the golden boy _______ winning that Steinbeck contract.

G L O S S A R Y

office gossip n stories, rumours and information about the private lives of people in the office guess what? exp people often use this expression before they are about to say something interesting or important a juicy bit of gossip exp a very interesting story or rumour about someone’s private life straight from exp directly from to get the axe exp to lose your job besides exp this expression is used to put emphasis on something you are about to say. This is often used when you want to add another comment a pay rise n an increase in your salary Mr Big Bucks exp inform this is used to refer to someone with a lot of money. A “buck” is an informal word for a dollar to deserve vb if you think you “deserve” something, you think you should get that thing because of your good actions or qualities that’s beside the point exp that is not important or relevant a golden boy exp a person who is the favourite in a group or organisation to get rid of someone exp to tell someone to leave a group or organisation sure thing exp of course, yes, certainly it’s a deal exp “I accept what you are saying”